Missing the cutoff for your dream degree by a few APS points isn’t the end of the road. It just means you take a slightly longer route to the same destination, and bridging courses are exactly that route.
A bridging course, often called an extended programme, gives students who didn’t quite meet the entry requirements a structured way back in. You get extra time, extra support, and usually an APS requirement that’s three to four points lower than the mainstream version of the same degree. Here are ten of the strongest options in the country right now, and what they actually involve.
University of Pretoria: The Four Year Programme
UP spreads a normally three year degree, in fields like Mathematical Sciences, IT, Multimedia, or Commerce, across four years instead. The first eighteen months move at a slower pace with heavier academic and psychological support built in, before you slot into the standard mainstream degree for your remaining years. Entry usually needs an APS around 22 to 26 alongside your National Benchmark Test results, and it’s worth applying early since this route tends to close well before UP’s regular deadline.
University of Johannesburg: Extended Degrees
UJ runs one of the most established extended programmes in the country, covering Humanities, Commerce, and Science. The APS bar sits a few points below the mainstream equivalent, and the extra year gets built into your first two years of study rather than tacked on separately. If you’re aiming for a BCom or a Humanities degree and came up just short on points, this is genuinely one of the more forgiving routes available.
Stellenbosch University: SciMathUS
This one is specifically for recent matriculants who want to strengthen Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or Financial Accounting before committing to a full degree. You’ll generally need a 60% overall average with at least 45% in the specific subjects you’re bridging. What makes SciMathUS stand out is the direct pathway it offers into Stellenbosch’s mainstream programmes once you’ve completed it successfully, so it functions almost like a guaranteed second application rather than a gamble.
North West University: UnivPrep
NWU’s bridging route covers BA in Public Governance, BCom, and BTh, with an APS threshold of around 20 and a minimum 50% in English. Mathematics requirements shift depending on which programme you’re targeting, so it’s worth checking the specific breakdown for your intended degree rather than assuming a blanket requirement across the board.
University of the Free State: UPP
The University Preparation Programme accepts students with an APS of roughly 20 and channels them toward undergraduate degrees in Law, Humanities, or Natural Sciences. Complete the UPP year successfully, and you move directly into your chosen mainstream degree without reapplying from scratch, which saves you the anxiety of a second admissions cycle.
University of South Africa: Bridging Modules
UNISA takes a different approach entirely. Instead of a fixed year long programme, it offers standalone bridging modules you can use to upgrade specific subjects or meet the entry requirements for a diploma or degree. Since it’s distance based, you can work through these while holding down a job or managing other responsibilities, which makes it particularly useful for mature students returning to study after time away.
Walter Sisulu University: Foundation Programme
WSU’s Foundation Programme leads into Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, and general Science degrees, with APS requirements that shift depending on which field you’re entering. If you’re specifically eyeing Health Sciences, expect subject specific conditions around Mathematics or Life Sciences on top of the general APS threshold.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Extended Curriculum
CPUT’s version supports Engineering, Business, and Applied Sciences, generally requiring an APS of at least 22. One detail worth knowing if you’re aiming for Engineering here: Mathematical Literacy typically won’t satisfy the requirement, so you’ll need actual Mathematics from matric to qualify for this route.
Durban University of Technology: Extended First Year
DUT spreads Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, and Business degrees across an extended first year, with specific APS and subject score requirements depending on your chosen field. It’s a solid option if you’re based in KwaZulu Natal and want a technology focused qualification without relocating far from home.
Nelson Mandela University: Extended Curriculum Programmes
NMU covers a wide spread here, from Agricultural Management and Forestry diplomas through to a BCom in General Accounting, with APS based requirements and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy depending on the specific programme. Its coastal Gqeberha campus and genuinely broad programme range make it worth a look if you’re still deciding between several fields.
How to Actually Use This List
Start by matching your intended degree to the university offering it, then check that specific programme’s APS requirement rather than assuming a general number applies across the board, since these shift even within the same institution depending on faculty.
Extended programme application deadlines often close earlier than mainstream ones, sometimes months earlier, so don’t wait until you’re checking your final matric results to start looking. If you’re unsure whether your marks qualify, some universities will only offer you the extended route after reviewing your application anyway, so it’s worth applying to your first choice programme regardless and letting the university make that call.
Your Next Step
A few missed points on your matric results don’t have to close off the degree you actually want. Bridging courses exist precisely for this situation, and several of the universities on this list report strong success rates specifically because they’re built to address the real gap between high school and university level work.
Pick the university tied to your intended field, confirm the current APS requirement and deadline directly with their admissions office, and apply in good time. If funding is part of what’s holding you back, have a look at our guide to securing the best student loans in South Africa before you rule anything out.
